Published: Wednesday, December 5, 2012 at 9:18 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, December 5, 2012 at 9:18 p.m.

The developer with plans to build three buildings on the site of the former Babies Hospital has cleared a hurdle in a push to increase the height of one of the structures.

On Wednesday night, the Wilmington Planning Commission recommended that Bailey & Associates of Jacksonville be allowed to increase the height of a building to 50 feet from 45 feet. Now that the board has weighed in, the request will be sent to the city council, which has the authority to approve or deny it.

Plans envision three buildings on the 4.5-acre site in the 7200 block of Wrightsville Avenue. Bailey already has permission to construct three, four-story buildings with a maximum height of 45 feet. The approved plans call for 102 residential units, 15,750 square feet of commercial space and 13,200 square feet of office space.

In its application, the developer said the additional height “will enhance the project by greatly improving the interior space while avoiding low ceiling heights in the building.” The taller of the three buildings would go at the corner of Wrightsville Avenue and Canal Drive.

The modification would also eliminate the approved 13,200 square feet of office space and allow density to be increased to 110 units.

Matthew Nichols, an attorney representing the developer, said the request had received a letter of support from neighbors. The elimination of the office space also reduces traffic projections “somewhat significantly,” Nichols said, adding that it reduces the average daily trips by 230.

Bill Batuyios, a residential real estate appraiser, also appeared on behalf of the developer. He said adding five feet to one of the buildings would not substantially injure the property values of surrounding properties and that the scale would be compatible with them.

Other than representatives from the developers, no one spoke at the public hearing.

After the hearing closed, the board voted unanimously to recommend approval.

The land is zoned as office and institutional. By right, developers can build up to 45 feet in that district – though, through the special-use permit process a developer could request to build as high as 75 feet.

But a request to allow a 60-foot structure on the property failed by a single vote. Because of the denial, Bailey can only build up to a maximum of 45 feet.

For 50 years, children seeking medical care went to the Babies Hospital. After the original wooden building burned in 1928, a three-story building in the Spanish Colonial Revival style replaced it.

Even after the hospital closed in 1978, the three-story building near the Intracoastal Waterway survived and was converted to office space.

But by the early 2000s, developers were fighting historic preservationists in a bid to demolish the aging structure to build stores, offices and condos. Eventually, the developers prevailed, and the hospital came tumbling down.

<p>The developer with plans to build three buildings on the site of the former Babies Hospital has cleared a hurdle in a push to increase the height of one of the structures.</p><p>On Wednesday night, the Wilmington Planning Commission recommended that Bailey & Associates of Jacksonville be allowed to increase the height of a building to 50 feet from 45 feet. Now that the board has weighed in, the request will be sent to the city council, which has the authority to approve or deny it.</p><p>Plans envision three buildings on the 4.5-acre site in the 7200 block of Wrightsville Avenue. Bailey already has permission to construct three, four-story buildings with a maximum height of 45 feet. The approved plans call for 102 residential units, 15,750 square feet of commercial space and 13,200 square feet of office space.</p><p>In its application, the developer said the additional height “will enhance the project by greatly improving the interior space while avoiding low ceiling heights in the building.” The taller of the three buildings would go at the corner of Wrightsville Avenue and Canal Drive.</p><p>The modification would also eliminate the approved 13,200 square feet of office space and allow density to be increased to 110 units. </p><p>Matthew Nichols, an attorney representing the developer, said the request had received a letter of support from neighbors. The elimination of the office space also reduces traffic projections “somewhat significantly,” Nichols said, adding that it reduces the average daily trips by 230. </p><p>Bill Batuyios, a residential real estate appraiser, also appeared on behalf of the developer. He said adding five feet to one of the buildings would not substantially injure the property values of surrounding properties and that the scale would be compatible with them. </p><p>Other than representatives from the developers, no one spoke at the public hearing.</p><p>After the hearing closed, the board voted unanimously to recommend approval.</p><p>The land is zoned as office and institutional. By right, developers can build up to 45 feet in that district – though, through the special-use permit process a developer could request to build as high as 75 feet.</p><p>But a request to allow a 60-foot structure on the property failed by a single vote. Because of the denial, Bailey can only build up to a maximum of 45 feet.</p><p>For 50 years, children seeking medical care went to the Babies Hospital. After the original wooden building burned in 1928, a three-story building in the Spanish Colonial Revival style replaced it. </p><p>Even after the hospital closed in 1978, the three-story building near the Intracoastal Waterway survived and was converted to office space. </p><p>But by the early 2000s, developers were fighting historic preservationists in a bid to demolish the aging structure to build stores, offices and condos. Eventually, the developers prevailed, and the hospital came tumbling down.</p><p>Julian March: 343-2099</p><p>On <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news41"><b>Twitter</b></a>: @julian_march</p>